Officer's Sabretache 1881-98


Full dress sabretaches were not worn by most of the Indian cavalry regiments but the 5th Punjab Cavalry liked to be different. It was worn by both British and Indian officers. The back and pocket are of crimson morocco leather and the front is of scarlet cloth with gold lace around, 4.5 cms wide. The crown is an imperial crown representing Victoria's title as Empress of India instituted in 1877. The cypher underneath is rather muddled but is PC reversed, standing for Punjab Cavalry. Below that is the Roman numeral V. The battle honours are from the left DELHI, LUCKNOW, RELIEF OF LUCKNOW, KABUL 1879, AFGHANISTAN 1878-80 and CHARASIA. Officially the regiment had only 5 honours but they have included the Relief of Lucknow. These honours are embroidered in gold onto blue velvet scrolls. The overall size is 30.5 cms deep (12 inches) by 28 cms (11 inches) at the bottom, and 19.7 cms (7.75 inches) at the top. This particular example was owned by Major H M Allen DSO. Although the crown dates from 1877 the battle honours determine that it was used from c1881 until they were discontinued officially in June 1898.


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by Stephen Luscombe